US2010586A - Sheet feeder - Google Patents

Description

SHEET FEEDER Svwenoz Aug.' 6, 1935. H. EHLIG 2,010,586-

SHEET FEEDER Filed July 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet '2 Aug. 6, 1935. H. EHLIG 2,010,586

SHEET FEEDER Filed July 14, 1931 4 SheetS-Sheeb 3 S31/wanton Aug. 6, 1935. H. EHLIG SHEET' FEEDER Filed July 14, 1951 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Aug. 6, 1935 l I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET FEEDER Harry Ehlig, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor to Dexter Folder Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York (1934) Application July 14, 1931, Serial No. 550,6?,4 1s claims. (c1. zii-su My invention relates to improvements in sheet As the suction tubes slide the sheet or bag feeders for automatically separating and advancslightly to the rear, the leading edge is drawn ing successive sheets of paper or other impresback out of the zone of the stop fingers which exsion-receiving material to printing, folding or tend along the front of the bank and act as a 5 ruling machines, or to such other types of mastraightener by being set to aline with a prede- 5 chines as are devised to operate thereafter on termined position for the advancement of the such sheets. stock on a lower feed-board. Such stop fingers 'I'he objects of my invention are, among others, also act to straighten the leading edgesof the mainly to provide a sheet-feeder of this character stock when the bank moves forward on said feedhaving a simplilled design and which will have board, and are of particular advantage when 10 embodied therein separate mechanisms capable of feeding heavy stock which does not readily lend performing eicient work, not likely to get out of itself to the usual fanning out operation and order, very sensitive in action, and all incorpouniform separation. rated in a feeder which will automatically, and When feeding heavy stock with a rough surwith great rapidity, invariably separate and feed face, the suction is maintained continuously 15 or advance the successive sheets from a pile or through the feed belt, but is preferably in'ter- -bank of paper, but preferably from a fanned-out llttd When feeding light Weight stock by any bank of paper on the feed-board. suitable means to bring the action of the belt in With these objects in view, I lhave devised a proper timed relation with each cycle of the mafront edge feeder particularly adapted to separate chine. On the other hand the vacuum created in 20 and advance heavy stock having ribbed 0r rough the suction tubes or liters is predeterminedly surfaces, for example, paper bags, which requireacontrolled, and is broken when the sheet is powerful air blast to raise the front portions brought within effective range of the air blast for within effective range of the sheet advancing Seizure by the feed-beltmeans, by embodying in such feeder a series of Further objects of my invention are t0 provide 2 Oscillating SuCtiOIl sheet separating tubes or means to render the oscillating suction tubes or y sheet-litters 4which not only separate the top.. lifters inactive so that the suction feed-belt may most sheet from the subjacent sheets butalso be operated independently of such tubes when deproperly position same relatively to the air blast sited; to provide means to vary the line of travel and a suction feed-belt used for completing the of thevlower run of the suction belt by raising separation of such sheet and advancing same' to or lowering the lower rear pulley carrying the the machine thereafter operating on the succesbelt so that such line of travel will conform subg sive sheets. Vstantiallyl with the angle' of the 'sheet that is 'I'hese oscillating suction tubes or lifters are being brought withinthe effective range of the preferably arranged in transverse alinement suction belt; furthermore to provide separate and 35 across the feeder, and, in the embodiments of the independent valve controls for the vacuum cre-v invention herein` shown,-have suction created ated in the suction belt and oscillating tubes therein and. are rocked downwardly until each tube whereby both vacuum created' in and atmosphere seating itselfindependently of the others on the admitted to such members may be separately con- 40 irregular surface of the top sheet or bag, grips trolled independently of each other. 40 the same and continues its travel downwardly.- and My improved sheet-feeder also embodies other rearwardly with a yielding movement so as to advantageous features of novelty and improvedepress the front margin of the bank of sheets ment in which the different operating parts are or bags and slightly move the topmost one reargreatly. simplified in form and action, and are wardly from, out of contact with the front edge kmade more effective and otherwise better adapt- 45 stop fingers. Thereafter the suction tubes. are `ed for use, all of which will be hereinafter deraised simultaneously to bring the front portion scribed and then particularly set forth in the of the topmost sheet or bag Within effective range appended claims.

of the air blast and also of the suction belt, The drawings ShOW mymprovements in their the tubes,vabout this time, having the suction preferred embodimentsv in a continuous sheet- 50 broken, therein and the belt seizing the sheet or feeder; such improvements, however, are not to bel bag and holding the same under suction control restricted to any particular type of sheet-feeder, during the forward travel of the -belt to advance as the invention may be embodied in various such sheet or bag to sheet conveyors or other forms of feeders with similar advantages andremeans. A suits. f

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an improved feeder constituting one embodiment of my invention, some parts being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the feeder shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a side View on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 with certain parts omitted and others in section;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a double vacuum pump and blower;

Fig. 6 is a detail side view off an improved feeder constituting another embodiment of my invention, showing mechanism for operating and oscillating the suction tubes or lifters; y

Fig. 7 is an end view of the embodiment show in Fig. 6 looking from the left thereof;

Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged sectional views on the 'line 8-8 of Fig. 7 showing different positions of the valve operating mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7; d

Fig. 10 is a detail side view of the tube. oscillating mechanism shown in' Figs. 1, 2 and 4;

Fig. 11 is a detail lside view` of the forward part of the bank and associated parts; and

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing adjusting mechanism for the lower rear pulley carrying the sucton belt.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly Figs. 1 and 2, the side-frames I3 and |4 support the upper supply table I5 ofthe usual form in a continuous feeder, which table |5 carries the feed-belts I8 passing around pulleys I1 and I8 respectively journalled in the supply table I5 and lower feed-board |9 also mounted in the side-frames' I3 and I4, and carrying said feed belts. The bank of fanned-out sheets 20 is advanced to the sheet separating and advancing l f mechanisms by the feed-belts I6 in the usual way. When the fanned out bank 20 is comprised by bags or similar heavystock, the front marginal portion of the pile or bank will extend above the lower feed board I9, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and-the sheets in said portion will tend to spread apart through the ,inherent ferred to engage the sheets with sheetseparating and advancing devices comprising the endless loop suction-belt 23 having spaced-apart perforations 24 (Fig. 2), which belt, as herein shown, passes around three pulleys 25, 26 and 21 arranged in verticular triangular formation (Fig. 1) so that the lower run of the belt 23 will lie over thefront margin of the bank of sheets 20 and in close proximity thereto in order to seize the top sheet and separate and advance same from the bank 28. The belt 23 is driven from the pulley 25 secured to the cross-shaft 28 journalled in the side-frames I3 and I4.

The cross-shaft 28 carries the sprocket gear 29 operated by the sprocket chain 38 driven by .the sprocket gear 3| mounted on the cross-shaft 32 journalled in the side-frames I3 and I4. The shaft 32 carries the pinion 33 which engages the intermediate gear 34 that is driven by the pinion 35 secured to the main cam-shaft 36. Slidably .se (Fig. 5). i f

ycasing 44 in which is journalled the shaft 45 to lwhich is ailixed the forked lever 46 carrying the pivoted rollers 41 which are adapted to ride within the groove 48 cut in the clutch collar 31. Secured to the upper end of the shaft 45 is the arm 49 connected by the rod 50 to the lower end of the throw-off lever 5| having the handle 52 which lever 5I is pivoted on shaft 53 carried by the sideframes. Also pivoted to the lower end of'lever 5| is the throw-off rod 54 extending forwardly over the sheet conveyor (Fig. 1).

Resting on the lower runof the perforate suction belt 23 is the suction shoe or nozzle 55 (Fig. 1) having a flat open face with the cross slot 56 bearing' in sealing contact with the inner The sprocket chain 30 also passes surface of the belt 23. The nozzle 55 is carried on the arm 51 mounted on the shaft 58 of the lower rear pulley 26, andthe inner chamber 59 of the shoef'or nozzle55 is connected by the hose 60 to the valve cock 6| mounted on the right side (Fig. 2) of the cross-pipe 62 carried by the sideframes I3 and I4. 'I'he plug 63 in thepipe 62 divides same into two chambers 64 and 65 so that the suction shoe 55 is connected with the cham- ,ber 6,4 by the hose 60 when the valve cock 6| is open. j

' The right end of the pipe 62 (Fig. 2) is connected with the vertical pipe 66 fastened to the side-frame I3 and terminates in the horizontal pipe chamber 61 (Fig. 1) the right end of which is connected by the hose 68 to the suction pump Means are provided for controlling the suction in the shoe or nozzle I55 that are shown in Figs.

1 and 2: Midway in the side of the chamber 81 is the port 10 to open the interior of the chamber 61 to atmosphere to break the suction in the nozzle 55. The port 1I! is adapted to be opened and closed by the rock. arm 1I "keyed to the rock shaft 12 and the rock arm 1I carries the valve 12* that registers with' the port 10. Secured to the shaft 12 is the arm 13 connected by the adjustable rod 14 to the rock-lever 15 pivoted on the short shaft 16 journalledin the side-frame I3 (Fig. 1). Secured to the inner end 'of the shaft 16 is the rock arm 11 connected by the link 18 to the rock arm 19 pivoted on the cross shaft '80 fastened to the side-frames I3 and I4.

' The outer end of the arm 19 carries the camroller 8| that engages the cam 82 pinned to the cam-shaft 36 (Fig. 2). Adjacent the cam 82 and adjustably secured thereto by the screw pins 83 working in the curved slots 84 (Fig. 4) is the adjustable circular plate 85 to variably control the cam dwell to accommodate for sheets of different lengths and thereby the timing of thsuctionintermis'sion applied to the shoe or nozzle 55 by the variable movement of the oscillating valve .12 opening and closing the port 10. The spring 85 affixed to the outer end of the rock lever 15 and the side-frame I3 keeps the roller 8| in engagement with the cam 82, and the lugs 81 and 88 on the outer surface of the chamber 61 limit the oscillating movement `of the rock-arm 1| 'carrying the valve 12.

Means are provided for holding the arm 1| in opposite end of the shaft 89 is the rock-arm 94. yieldingly connected by the coil-spring 95 with the rock-arm 96 pinned at 91 on the side-frame I4. The rock-arm 96 is connected by the link 98 with the short arm 99 fastened tothe throw-off shaft 53. When this lever-5I is swung to the right (Fig. 1), the latch-arm 9| is raised in an anti-clockwise direction to engage the tip 93 of the arm 1| to hold the port 10 open; when the 'latch-arm 9| is released, the spring 95 allows gravity to bring these parts into their position as shown in Fig. l, with the arm 1| free to4 be oscillated back and forth under the inuence of the cam 82 to open and close the port 10 in predetermined relation according to the dwell of the cam 82. i

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, the blast of air to the nozzles 22 arranged across the feeder below the front edges of the bank of sheets 20 (only one being shown in Fig. 1) is supplied by the tubes and |0I connected to the feed-pipe |02 leading from the air-blast pump |03 connected to the usual blowers (not shown).

The series of oscillating suction tubes or lifters used to separate or raise ythe front edges of the successive sheets within the edective range of the suction feed-belt 23 are best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4: In Fig: 2 four such tubes are shown which are alike inconstruction and operation and are arranged intransverse alinement across the feeder within the zoneof the under run of the feed-belt 23. Each tube or lifter comprises the pipe'v |04 terminating at its lower end with the flexible annular sucker lip I'o`f. rubber. Midway on'the pipe |04 is the adjustable collarV |06 preferably fastened to the pipe |04 by the set-screwl01 `(Fig. 10)." The collar |06 is pinned at |0I|`to the rock-arm |09 having forked ends journalled on the rock-shaft IIO pivoted in the side-frames I3 'and I4.

The angular position of the pipe |04 and co1- lar |06relatively to the rock-arm |09 may be adjusted to suit the requirements; for this purpose the collar |06 'carries the slotted sector III secured to the rock-arm by the set-screw I |2pass ing through the slotted sector (Figs. 4 and I0). Adjustably secured to the rock-shaft 0 by the set-screw ||3 is the rock-arm I I4 having a fiat tip ||5 adapted to engage the flat surface IIS formed on the under side of the rock-arm |09 and yieldingly held in contact with said surface by the spring ||1 pinned to the rockarms |09 and' |I4.

Figs. 1 and 4 show the rock-arms |09 and I I4 in coacting engagement with the suction tube |04 lifted, while Fig. 10 shows theml separated as the sucker lips |05 are lowered and seizing a sheet. The spring II1 provides a yielding connection between the arms |09, |I4 that prevents damage to the suction tube |04 and the sucker I05iwhen the latter engages the sheets, and permits travel of the arm ||4 to the limit of its downward and rearward stroke regardless of the thickness of the bank of sheets 20.

Suction is intermittently created in the tube or pipe |04 through the exible hose I I8 attached to the upper end of the pipe |04 and to the valve cock II9 fastened to the cross pipe |20 fastened to the brackets |2| on the under side of the supply-table I5 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The ends of the cross-pipe are closed by the caps |22. Fastened tothe pipe |20 is the valve'supply cock |23 to which is secured the suction hose |24 leading to the suction control mechanism best shown in Fig. 3. The end of the hose |24 is connected by the nipple |25 with the chambered housing |26 having the L-shaped passage |21 connected to the suction chamber 65 in the crosspipe 62 which is connected by the hose |28 (Figs. 2 and 5) with the suction pump |29 diagrammatically shown in Fig. 5 as fastened to the sideframe I3. The housing |26 has cut therein the horizont bore |30 crossing the passage |21 at right angles in which bore |30 the hollow bar valve I 3| is slidably keyed, said valve having the inner chamber |32 closedfat its outer end by the screwplug |33. The port |34 in the valve bar |3| conshaft 36, the cam engaging the roller |33 pinned to the left end of the bar valve |3| (Fig. 3), the spring I|39 coiled being about the bar valve |3| between the collar |40 and the housing |26 andholding the roller |38 in engagement with the cam |31.

The mechanism 'for actuating the suction sheet separating tubes or lifters |04 is best shown 'in'Figs., 1,62 and 4i Secured to the rock-shaft l I0 is the arm I 4I having pinned thereto thev adjustable connecting rod |42 having its forward end' ir. the formpof a hook |43 to removably engage the pin |44 on the rock-lever |45'mounted on the cross-shaft 80. The forward end of the' lever |45 carries the'cam-roller |46 which rides on the cam |41 fastened to the cam-shaft 36, the spring |48 pinned to the rock-lever |45 and sideframe I4 (Fig. 1)A holding the. roller |46 in engagement with the cam |41. As shown in Fig. 2, the circular plate |49 is adjustably secured to the cam |41 to vary the drop of the cam |41 to vary the periods of rest of the suction tubes '|04 as required by diiferent grades of stock and lengths of sheets.

In Figs. 2 and 11, I have shown one of the series of stop-fingers |50 fastened to the cross bar I5I extending across the feeder which ngers |50 act as a stop to straighten the leading edges of the stock when the bank 20 moves forwardly on the feed-board I9. The guide plates |52 (only one being shown in Figs. 2 and 11) are also fastened to the bar ,I5I and serve to support the sheets as they arefed forwardly by the ,suction belt 23 to the conveyor tapes |53 (Figs. 1 and l1) Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6-9 and the mechanism thereof used to actuate the series of suctiorLtubesI 04, the

lcollar |06 is adjustably clamped to the pin |54 feeding of sheets of certain widths.

feed-board I9. Pinned to the rock-shaft |56l is the cam-lever |50 carrying the roller |59 that rides on the heart-shaped cam 60 fastened to the cam-shaft 36 which, in this case, is mounted rearwardly of the belt 23. The suction created in the suction tube 04 through the hose ||8 is controlled by a sleeve valve mechanism shown in detail in Figs. 7-9. The tube |04 has afxed thereto the cross-pipe |6| closed at its outer end and having the elongated slot |62 cut therein. Surrounding the -pipe |6| is the valve sleeve |63 having the slot |64 cut therein and adapted to be rocked on the pipe |6|. The valve sleeve |63 carries the boss |165 to which is secured the arm |66 adapted to be engaged and moved by the L- shaped bar |61 adjustably securedv to the bracket |68 fastened on the Vunder side of the supply.

table |5 (Fig. 7). The spring |69 secured to the arm |66 and pinned to the supply-table I5 holds the arm |66 in contact with bar |61. Fig. 8 shows the valve sleeve |63 in closed position with the slots |62 and |64 out of register so as to maintain suction in the suction tubes |04, while Fig. 9 shows the two slots in register `to open the tube |04 to atmosphere and so break the suction therein to release the sheet held by the suction tube. By this mechanism the suction is made and broken by the movement of the suction tubes |04 under the influence of the cam |60 In Fig. 12 I have shown an effective means for mounting the shaft 58 of the lower rear pulley 26 so as to change the angle of the lower run of the feed-belt 23 to meet the requirements of different grades of stock, such shaft 58 being carried in the eccentric bearing |10 mounted in the supporting plate 1| (Fig. 2).

The valve cock 6| may be closed to break th suction in the suction shoe or nozzle 55, while the individual cocks ||9 may be selectively closed at will to break the suction in the corresponding suction tubes or lifters |04 not utilized in the By closing the valve cock |23, the suction may be broken in from all the tubes |04 in which case the hook |43 on the rod |42 is disconnected from the pin |44 to render the suction tubes |04 inoperative when feeding stock solely by the action of the suction belt 23 and air blast from the nozzles 22.

'I'he operation of my improved feeder has been `partially set forth in the foregoing description of the component elements comprised therein, and may be summarized as follows: The bank of sheets 20` is advanced along the feedboard I9 by the belts I6v until the leading edges of the sheets are alined across the stop fingers |50 (Fig. 11). If the bank Zus comprised by bags or similar stock, the front margiral portion of said bank will assume a position substantially as indicated in Fig. 1. At this time suction is being created in the suction shoe 55 and anair lblast issues from the nozzles 22 as shown in Fig. 1. The suction belt 23 is travelling in the direction of the arrows (Figs. l and 4). At the beginning of the cycle the suction tubes |04 are in their raised positionsusubstantially as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, and suction isy created in said tubes. The tubes |04 are then rocked downwardly and rearwardly by the action of the cam |41 until the suckers |05 engage and depress the front margin of the bank 20 and have yielding contact therewith through the separation of the rock arms |09 and ||4 as shown in Fig. 10. The pile drag 2| presses downwardly on the bank of fanned out sheets 20, and as the tubes |04 move downwardly and rearwardly and depress the frontmarginal portion of the bank of sheets 20, the leading edges thereof are loosened from stop lingers |50, and the front portion of the topmost sheet is moved rearwardly and buckled. Figs. 4 and A11 show in dotted and full lines, respectively, the action of the tubes |04 at the end of their downward and rearward travel after they have depressed the front marginal portion of the bank, loosened the leading edges of the sheets from the stop ngers |50, moved the front portion of the top sheet rearwardly, and slightly buckled the front portion of 'said top sheet.

As the tubes |04 are moved upwardly and forwardly, they lift with the top sheet ailixed to the ilexible lips |05, the air blast from the nozzles 22 winds the top sheet and the sheet is thereby brought into eiective range of the feed-belt 23 with the suction shoe 55 acting through the belt perforations 24 to seize the leading edge of the top sheet as shown in Fig. l. As the suction tubes |04 continue to raise into the zone of the belt 23 (now holding the sheet), the suction in the tubes` |04 is broken by the bar valve |3I taking its full line (Fig. 3) position under the action of the spring |39 and cam |31 to release the hold of the tubes |04 on the sheet as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The sheet now seized by the suction belt 23 is advanced over the guide plates |52 onto the sheet conveyors |53 to the machine for further operation in the usual way. The intermission of the suction created in the suction shoe 55 may be variably controlled by the cam 82 and control plate 85 as hereinbefore described, and the operator may break the suction in the shoe 55 and stop the action of the feed-belt 23 and suction tubes |04 by moving the hand lever 5| to the right in Fig. 1 so as to allow the latch arm 9| engage the tip 93 of the valve arm 1| while shifting the clutch collar 31 to the left (Fig. 2) to disengage the bevel gears 38 and 38 to throw the feeder out of operation.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 6-9, the operation -is substantially the same as above set forth except that the heart-shaped cam |60 actuates the suction tubes |04 in bringing the to-p sheet into effective range of the suction belt 23, the shifting of the collar |06 on thelever |55 enabling the tubes |04 to be variably positioned to meet the requirements of different grades of stock.

The suction created in the tubes |04 is controlled by the arm |66 engaging the bar |61 as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, an'd the duration of the suction may be varied by shifting the vertical position of the bar |61 in the bracket |60. Fig. 8 shows the tubes |04 with the slot |62 closed by the sleeve |63- so as to maintain suction in said tubes, while Fig. 9 shows the slots |62 and |64 in register to break the suction in the tubes |04.

The foregoing construction embodies the underlying principles of my invention, but various changes or modifications may be made in the structural details without departing from the scope of my improvements. However the foregoing is suincient to disclose the basic principles and advantages of my invention as installed in a sheet-feeder of the continuous type.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sheet feeder, upper and lower means for feeding a bank of fanned out sheets, a continuously driven perforated beltv foradvancing a sheet from said bank and extending between upper and lower front portions thereof, means for creating suction through the continuously driven perforated belt whereby the same may grip the sheet and advance it as aforesaid, and oscillating suction means disposed adjacent the belt between said portions of the bank for buckling and separating the front edge portion of the sheet from the bank and carrying said portion within the range of action of the rst named suction rbneens and said continuously driven perforated 2. In a feeder for a bank of fanned out sheets, a driven perforated belt for advancing a sheet from the bank, means for creating suction through -said belt whereby the same may grip the sheet and advance it as aforesaid, and means for initially separating the sheet from the bank and for rising the sheet within the range of action of said suction means and said belt, said last named means including an oscillating sheet engaging device adapted to move downwardly and rearwardly during part of its cycle of operation to buckle the sheet and thereby initially separate it from the bank.

3. In a feeder for a bank of fanned out sheets, a driven perforated belt having suction created therethrough and adapted to advance a sheet from said bank, and means for initially separating the sheet from the bank and for carrying the sheet therefrom within the range of action of the', belt, said means including a suction sheet engaging device swinging downwardly and rearwardly to initially separate the sheet from the bank and swinging upwardly and forwardly to i carry the sheet within the range of action of said belt. f

4. In a feeder for a bank of fanned out sheets, a driven perforated belt having suction created therethrough and adapted to feed a sheet from saidbank, means engaging the bank of fanned outl sheets, and an oscillating suction 'sheet engaging device swinging downwardly and rearwardly to initially separate the sheet from the bank and swinging forwardly and upwardly to carry said sheet within the range of action of said belt.

5. In a sheet feeder, means for feeding a bank of fanned out sheets, stop means against which the sheets are fed by said first named means, bank engaging means, and oscillatory suction sheet separating means swinging downwardly and rearwardly during part of its cycle of operation so as to move the topmost sheet of the bank rearwardly out of contact with said stop means.

6. In a sheet feeder, means for feeding a bank of fanned out sheets, stop means against which the sheets are fed -by said first named means, a driven perforated belt hai/ ing suction created therethrough and adapted to advance a sheet from said bank, bank engaging means, and oscillatory suction sheet separating means swinging downwardly and rearwardly to move the sheet rearwardly out of contact with said stop means, said oscillatory suction means then moving upwardly and forwardly to carry said sheet within the range of action of said belt.

7. In a sheet feeder, a driven perforated belt having suction created therethrough and adapted to feed a sheet, oscillatory suction means for carrying the sheet within the range of action of said belt, and rocking operating means for the oscillatory suction means and on which the latter is yieldably mounted.

8. In a sheet feeder, a driven perforated belt having suction created therethrough and adapted to feed a sheet, suction means for carrying the sheet within the range of action of said belt, os-

cillating means carrying and rocking the suction means, and means for adjusting said suction means angularly to various positions on said oscillating means.

9. In a sheet feeder, a driven perforated belt having suction created therethrough and adapted to feed a sheet, a rock shaft having a pair of arms one fixed on the shaft and the other loose thereon, means yieldably connecting said arms, and suction means on one of the arms and adapted to carry said sheet within the range of action of said belt.

10. In a sheet feeder, means for feeding a bank of fanned out sheets, a driven perforated belt having suction created therethrough and adapted to advance the sheets one after another from the fanned out bank, and means for varying the line of travel of said belt relative to said bank.

11. In a. sheet feeder, suction sheet feeding means, reciprocating suction means for carrying the sheets within the range of action of the suction sheet feeding means, a source of suction for the sheet feeding means, a vseparate source of suction for the reciprocating suction means, a pair of suction controlling valves each interposed between one of said sources and one 'of said means, and means for operating said valves at predetermined intervals.

12. In a sheet feeder, suction sheet feeding means, reciprocating suction means for moving a sheet within the range of action of said sheet feeding means, a source ofsuction, a conduit connecting the source of suction with the reciprocating suction means, a valve housing spring operated in one direction forming part of the conduit, a valve in said housing and controlling communication of said reciprocating suction means with atmosphere and Asaid source of suction, and means for operating said valve in the opposite direction and comprising a driven cam engaging the stem thereof.

13.. In a sheet feeder, suction sheet feeding means, oscillating suction means for moving a sheet within the range of action of said sheet feeding means, a source of suction, a conduit connecting the source of suction with the oscillating suction means, a valve housing forming part of the conduit,'a valve extending in the housing transversely of the conduit and controlling communication of the oscillating suction Vfeeding means, a source of suction, a conduit connecting the source of suction with the reciprocating suction means, a valve housing forming part ofthe conduit, a tubular valve in said housing and having spaced transversely extending ports controlling communication of the reciprocating suction means with atmosphere and said source of suction, and means for operating said valve to open and close said ports to atmosphere and said source of suction respectively.

15. In a sheet feeder, suction sheet feeding means, oscillating suctionmeans for moving a sheet within the range of action of said sheet feeding means, a source of suction, a conduit connecting the source of suction with the oscillating suction means, a valve housing forming part of the conduit, a tubular slide valve extend- 4out of the conduit, and means for reciprocating said valve whereby said ports are' opened and closed to atmosphere and said source of suction intervals. l 16. In a sheet feeder, means forvfeeding a bank pf tanned out sheets,v stop means against which the sheets are fed by said first named means. a

respectively at predetermined driven perforated belt having 'suction created.

therethrough and extending between upper and lower parts of the bank to advance sheets one after another therefrom, and oscillating suction means between said parts of the bank and moving in one direction to engage and move the front edge portionof a sheetrearwardly out of contact with said stop means, said oscillating suction means then moving in the opposite direction to vcarry said edge portion within the range of action 0f Saidbelt.

v HARRY EHLIG.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION,

19mm No. 2,019,586.` v August 6,- 1935,

HARRY EH'L'IG.

It Ais hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of they above numbered ,patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, -fir'st column, line 44, strike out the word "from"; page 5, second column,V lines 34-35, claim 12,A strike out the words "spring operated in one-direction" 'and insert the same after "housing" in line 36,' of said claim; and that the seid Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform'to the record of the casezin the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September.'v A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) JActing Commissioner of Patents.

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